What could the Pirates lineup look like with a healthy Jung Ho Kang?

Jung Ho Kang’s pending return could mean even more lineup flexibility for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates cruised to a 7-4 victory Monday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers, a thought entered my mind. Why can’t this lineup produce like this every game? Of course, this is easier said than done, but what the Pirates offense did against Justin Verlander and the Tigers is what this lineup is capable of doing with the weapons that they have in the everyday lineup and on their bench.

Despite issues with leaving runners on base, the Pirates lineup has looked relatively good through the first seven games of the 2016 season. Aside from yesterday afternoon, manager Clint Hurdle had kept the starting lineup relatively similar through the first couple of games. However, one man can change the look of this lineup when he returns from injury. That man is Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang.

Kang, who is expected to make a return in late-April from his knee injury, may change the entire dynamic of this Pirates lineup and the way the infield is deployed. I think there are two ways in particular in which the 29-year old could be used, as he could possibly play at two different infield positions and change the look of the everyday lineup.

Here now are those two scenarios, put next to each other for easy comparison:

One option could be playing Kang over Jordy Mercer at shortstop, his original position in which he played 60 games last season. This particular option would allow both Kang and Freese, thought of to be the better offensive options, to be in the lineup. Despite early struggles from Freese to open the 2016 season, having both players in a starting role may create a more dangerous everyday lineup for opposing teams. To start the season, Freese is hitting .269 with seven hits in 26 at-bats and three runs scored. The only issue regarding Freese thus far has been his high strikeout rate. In those 26 at-bats, Freese has struck out 11 times and has compiled multi strikeout games in three of his six starts.

With Freese and a healthy Kang in the lineup, the batting order could also look a bit different. In this specific scenario with both of them in the lineup, I envision Kang hitting in either the third spot in the lineup or the cleanup spot, with Freese moving down in the order, possibly hitting seventh.

Another option could be playing Kang at third base upon his return from the disabled list at the end of the month. This move would change the overall look of the lineup as it would send Freese into a bench role for the Bucs and keep both Kang and Mercer in the lineup. Mercer, who is a very stellar defensive shortstop, has had great success on offense early on this season, hitting .250 with four RBI and three runs scored in seven starts.

The 29-year old shortstop has been a pleasant offensive surprise at the bottom of the Pirates lineup to start the season and with his impressive defensive abilities and recent offensive success, he is bound to make the final decision regarding everyday plans for Kang even more difficult than it already is.

In this scenario, the lineup is likely to switch around a little bit as well, but I see it remaining similar to the lineup the Pirates have now, just without Freese. In this instance, I see Kang simply taking Freese’s spot in the lineup in the three hole while the remainder of the lineup remains the same.

When Jung Ho Kang does return from injury, the Pirates will find themselves in a good situation with decisions that have to be made in regards to where Kang plays. The bottom line is that the Pirates are a better team with Kang in the lineup. He proved to be a huge impact player in his first year in a Pirates uniform last season, compiling a .287/.355/.461 clip with 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 126 games. However, once he returns, will it be Freese or Mercer who continues to get the opportunity to play everyday? That is the real question that will surround Kang’s return.

Despite all of the debate, this particular issue is a good one to have. The Pirates would rather have three solid infielders to debate over than to have no debate at all. The early struggles of Freese and the offensive success of Mercer are destined to be factors into the decision of who plays everyday as both, like Kang, are solid defenders. It should be an interesting decision by Clint Hurdle and a decision that is bound to benefit the Pirates lineup.